Altona Magic Soccer Club maintained its perfect record under new coach Stuart McCluskey with a 3-2 win against Cairnlea in State League 1 on Saturday.
The Magic took a 1-0 lead into half-time before both teams hit the scoreboard in the second half.
Cairnlea responded with two goals, but the Magic was up to the task, kicking two more of its own to secure the win.
The result continued Altona Magic’s rise up the ladder.
The Magic was in 11th spot on the table when McCluskey took over the top job earlier this month. But on the back of six points in two weeks, the club has jumped to ninth.
McCluskey said he was impressed with the work ethic shown by his players since taking on the top job.
“It’s been a good start. I really couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he said.
“I’ve just been trying to get the boys to work hard and apply themselves.
“We have obviously managed to score a few goals as well, so overall I’m really happy with the start.
“The players have really applied themselves, which has been great to see.”
Altona will look to keep its winning streak going when it takes on Fitzroy City this Saturday.
Despite the early wins to his name, McCluskey isn’t getting ahead of himself.
He believes the most important thing for the club throughout the rest of the season is staying above the relegation zone.
“The club has got plans for the next year or two,’’ he said.
“We need to stay in [State League 1] first and foremost. There are two relegation spots, so we need to stay clear of that.
“There are only three points between us and fourth place, so it’s really tight. It would be great to push up into that top four or five, and then who knows from there.”
In other results, Altona East Phoenix went down to top side Preston Lions, 1-0.
The Phoenix conceded one goal in the second half, which was all Preston needed to claim the three points.
Altona East is now sixth on the ladder.
